Social Media

Welcome to my blog!

I write about food, beer, music, events, and other things going on in Southern California. This blog uses free image hosting, so image URLs will expire after some time. If images on this blog do not load properly, please visit my Facebook page to view my full collection.

Sample food & drinks from various restaurants from Downtown Long Beach at this tasting fest held along Pine Avenue. Free to attend for all-ages, guests simply pay to eat, purchasing booklets of 12 tickets for $10 each. Each restaurant accepts varying amounts of tickets depending on their offerings. Live music and artists will keep guests entertained as well.

During these four days, various locations in & around Los Angeles will have various fashion and design events open to the public. Some of these events have an entry fee, others do not, so check with the website to see the list of events.

An all-ages Greek festival comes to San Diego this weekend, complete with food, desserts, drinks, ouzo, dance, music, rides, games, vendors, exhibits, and more. Arrive early enough and you can enter for free – otherwise, it costs $3 to enter.

L.A. Live will host their own version of a night market this Friday night in Downtown LA. Free to attend for all ages, visitors can expect to find food vendors, merchandise, live entertainment, dancing, art, and more.

Run in a torch relay and raise money for the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center. This run actually operates on a donation basis, so the organizers simply ask for a donation to the cause from participants. Guests can park in the Aquarium parking structure for a small fee, or park in or near downtown and take the free bus down to the aquarium.

Located all the way out in the hills of Palos Verdes, this annual street fair contains numerous vendors, merchandise, arts & crafts, rides, food, live entertainment, and more. Free for all ages, guests from out of town can enjoy the scenery as they drive up the hills to arrive in Palos Verdes. Guests can park for free in the high school parking lots across the street from the shopping center.

A vintage clothing and vinyl records market will take place in Downtown Santa Ana this Saturday afternoon. Free to attend for all ages, visitors will encounter dozens of vendors selling lots of local goods and gifts.

Southern California’s largest Irish Fair returns to Irvine this weekend. This family-friendly fair brings Irish culture to one location, where attendees can see over a thousands Irish dancers, dozens of live bands, bagpipe demos, a shepherding show, athletic competitions, cultural reenactments, a parade, and more. Guests should bring cash if they want to purchase any food, drinks, merchandise, accessories, or any other Irish goodie. I suggest avoiding American food, and trying the Irish food that you would not find elsewhere. Admission varies depending on how you want to attend, with general admission costing $15 presale, and discounts available for seniors and students.

Hess Brewing will celebrate their seventh anniversary with an afternoon beer tasting event this Saturday at their tasting room in North Park, San Diego. Hess Brewing will pour many of their beers plus some rare and exclusive beers just for this event, and other local breweries will make an appearance to serve their refreshing brews as well. General admission costs $45, starts at 12:30pm, and includes unlimited beer tasters and food samples. VIP admission costs $60, starts at 11:30am, and also provides access to VIP-only beers. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Enjoy unlimited beer (while supplies last) and chili samples at this beer tasting event at Pechanga in Temecula this Saturday afternoon. General admission costs $50 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $65 and starts at 12pm. All attendees receive a 2oz souvenir glass, and all the beer and chili you can consume until they run out.

Upland’s Rök House Brewing turns four years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have over two dozen beers for you to try, including their anniversary ales. This event has no cover charge – simply show up, and enjoy a cold one or two.

An all-ages Greek festival comes to San Bernardino this weekend, complete with Greek food, desserts, ouzo, music, dance, games, rides, vendors, exhibits, and more. Admission costs just $2 for adults, while children can enter for free with a paid adult admission.

An all-ages music festival comes to West Hollywood this weekend, along with a parade on Sunday morning. Admission varies in price, starting at $25 for one day, and going up to $125 for a VIP admission.

A big day for kids happens this Sunday at The Autry in Griffith Park. Admission ranges from $5 to $90, and provides full access to all the games, arts & crafts, live entertainment, vendors, booths, rides, demos, seminars, and more.

Pucker up for this sour beer tasting event this Sunday morning at Stone Brewing in Escondido. For $55 admission, receive a souvenir glass and 15 3oz tasters from over a hundred different sour beers available. Bring extra cash for purchasing food on the premises. No one under 21 may attend.

A free and all-ages street fair comes to Encino this Sunday, complete with vendors, food, desserts, drinks, games, live entertainment, and more. Note that this event will close Ventura Blvd to traffic, so plan your commute accordingly.

This semi-annual arts & crafts fair consists of a series of Sunday fests at multiple locations. As with any typical arts & crafts fair, Patchwork will feature many traditional forms of art and merchandise, but also mixes in alternative art – thinking outside the box, or Rebel Art. Featuring clothing, accessories, home goods, jewelry, pet items, and more, this FREE fest caters to a wide & diverse crowd. Food trucks will serve guests during the fest. Always remember to carry cash, since most vendors only accept cash. The surrounding neighborhoods contain plenty of free street parking.

A wine tasting event comes to Ventura this Saturday afternoon. Admission starts at $55 based on when you buy your ticket, when you want to enter, and how many in your party will enter. No one under 21 may attend.

Celebrate this Memorial Day with a run down in sunny Orange County. Register for any of various distances, and head to the starting line by 7am for the race start. Registration fees vary based on the distance, with the half marathon costing $75.

A full weekend of running festivities will take place in San Diego this week. On Friday and Saturday, a health & fitness expo will take place at the San Diego Convention Center. On Saturday morning, a 5K run will take place near Balboa Park. Finally, on Sunday morning, the main marathon and half marathon will take place. Participation in each event varies in price depending on the event and age of participant, so check the website for pricing information.

An expo for all things anime and manga takes place in San Diego this weekend. Visitors will find vendors, artists, games, live entertainment, cosplay, and more. Registration costs $25 for Saturday, $20 for Friday or Sunday, or $55 for a three-day pass.

Taste wines and fly in hot-air balloons during this three-day festival out in the Temecula Valley. In addition, enjoy live music, local food, craft beer, and other forms of entertainment. Admission starts at $5, so see the website for more details.

The 2018 San Diego County Fair kicks off this Friday and will run until July 4th. General adult admission costs $18, while admission for seniors and children costs $11. Many promotions and coupons for admission exist – see the website for details.

This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).

Brea brings all of the elements of a state fair into one weekend with their annual SummerFest. Find food, rides, live entertainment, games, vendors, and more at this weekend-long fair for the entire family. Guests may enter and park for free – please adhere all signs for parking and entering the fest.

A weekend of barbecue and brews comes to Norco. On Friday, catch an opening night reception with sips and bites that costs $50 to attend. On Saturday, enjoy an all-day barbecue festival complete with food, beer, live music, and more – general admission costs $10, while admission with a beer wristband costs $30 and includes unlimited beer samples while supplies last. On Sunday, a special invite-only barbecue judging class will take place. Bring plenty of cash for food and parking, and dress for warm weather.

Seeking a challenging run through the wilderness? Check out Into The Wild, a 10k or 21k course running through trails of rocks, dirt, and more uneven ground. Registration for the 10k costs $55 presale or $60 on the day of the race. Registration for the 21k costs $75 presale or $80 on the day of the race.

See hundreds of classic cars all for FREE at this all-ages car show on the streets of Uptown Whittier this Saturday. All of the businesses in Uptown Whittier will remain open under regular business hours. Interested visitors should park in the neighborhoods north of Hadley Street.

Dozens of Southern Californian artists will display their work for the public to view at this FREE and all-ages event this Saturday in Irvine. In addition to all the art, the event will feature live music, food, arts & crafts, vendors, live art, and more.

Explore the cultures of the Pacific Islands all weekend at the Aquarium of the Pacific. For just the price of the aquarium’s general admission, guests of all ages will experience music, dancing, arts & crafts, ethnic cuisines, educational programming, storytelling, artisans, and more. Parking at the adjacent parking structure ranges from $5 to $10. The local Passport bus operates for free, so guests may ride public transportation to save money.

Fans of anime, manga, video games, comics, cosplay, Asian culture, and anything else with ninjas in it will not want to miss Ronin-Expo (formerly Ninja-Con), happening this Saturday at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Discuss and share hobbies with other attendees during the convention, and introduce others to new things. Admission to this all-ages convention costs $20 presale or $25 at the door. I suggest parking in the Arts District and walking over, as the Arts District has free street parking in select areas.

They really will make a festival for just about anything. This weekend, check out a free all-ages festival dedicated to everything about bread. Tastes different types of bread, learn how to make bread, and even take some specialty breads home. I suggest parking in the Arts District and walking over, since the Arts District has free street parking in select areas.

This all-ages festival in Riverside will have salsa tasting, live entertainment, a kids zone, a talent competition, a wine & beer garden, and more. Admission to this festival costs $15, but does not include anything else, so have cash available to buy things once inside.

Sample dozens of wines at this wine tasting event on beautiful Catalina Island this Saturday afternoon. Admission costs $45 for the event, but does not include transportation. Guests should take the Catalina Express that departs from San Pedro. View the website for details about how to travel to Two Harbors and which transports to take or not to take.

Enjoy beers from dozens of different breweries while gazing upon all the various exotic animals. General admission costs $65 and starts at 3pm, while VIP admission costs $105, starts at 2pm, and includes tray-passed appetizers. Bring extra cash for parking at the venue. No one under 21 may attend.

Want to sample up to over 500 wines, brews, and spirits from around the world? Head to LA Wine Fest this weekend, where you will find plenty of good drinks, cooking demos, live entertainment, seminars, food trucks, boutiques, merchandise, and more. Ticket prices vary depending on how you choose to attend, with a general admission ticket starting at $70. This fest takes place outdoors with limited shade, so prepare for a day in the sun. Bring cash for the parking lot across the street, unless you get lucky and find street parking.

Exhibit the local businesses of Claremont while sipping on craft beers and local food at this annual music and beer fest on the streets of Claremont Village. Over 30 of the local businesses will serve as sites where attendees to this fest can pick up some food or beer as they continue to stroll through Claremont Village to enjoy the live music and the goods & services offered by the local businesses. Admission costs $45 presale or $50 at the gate, and includes free parking and 12 beer tasting tickets. The site does not mention if admission includes food, so if you plan to eat, have some cash available. No one under 21 may attend.

See thousands of original and restored classic cars at the Fairplex this Sunday morning. Many of the vendors will also sell automotive accessories, parts, and more as well. This all-ages show cost $10 to enter, while children 10 and under get in free with a paid adult admission. Parking costs $10 per vehicle – guests must enter via gate 17 on Fairplex Drive, directly off the 10 freeway.

Join thousands of bike riders and enjoy a day of riding, a fair, food, raffles, music, and more. Choose from any of five different rides and head out. Registration costs will vary depending on the ride chosen, ranging from $50 to $80.

This annual local comics event returns to the San Fernando Valley this Sunday. General admission costs $5 while children under 12 enter for free with paid adult admission, and admission grants full access to the show floor, which contains dozens of artists, vendors, professional actors, and more.

Once again taking over the streets of Old Town Tustin, this FREE street fair contains lots of activities to keep the entire family busy and full the entire day. Attendees will find arts & crafts, live entertainment, merchandise vendors, kids’ area, the multitude of chili teams, and much more. This event gets highly crowded each year, and while it requires no admission to enter, guests will end up parking on city streets a few blocks away. To sample chili, guests must purchase tickets for $2 each, and redeem these tickets at the chili teams for samples.

This FREE and all-ages street fair takes place in West LA between Culver City and Beverly Hills. Attendees will find live music, a kids’ zone including rock-climbing, arts & crafts, food trucks, and more. Guests can park for free in the neighborhoods surrounding the fest.

Sample the local flavors of Leucadia this Thursday evening at the Taste of Leucadia. For $25 presale or $30 on the day of the event, visitors get treated to unlimited food samples from all the participating restaurants. For an additional $15, guests can receive ten beer/wine tastings from select locations. The organizers have provided a shuttle that runs to and from city hall to alleviate the parking situation.

Take part in an epic overnight relay race that stretches from Orange County down to San Diego this weekend starting Friday morning. Grab a team, grab supplies, and make the trek from point A to point B, finally finishing at Crown Point in Pacific Beach.

Taking place a week prior to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Formula Drift competition utilizes the sharpest turns of the track to put on a show that everyone can enjoy. Feel the excitement as drivers throw on their best drifting performance while narrowly dodging massive wipeouts. Guests may also visit a vendor village, receive autographs from drivers, see the pits up close and personal, and more. Tickets vary in price, but general admission to the Saturday main event costs $40 plus fees up to $10. Parking at the convention center costs $10, so plan to carpool, take public transportation, or park in the neighborhood to the east to alleviate that parking fee.

Basically, a music & art festival that spans an entire weekend, similar to Coachella. This event runs nonstop from Friday morning through Monday morning. Lucidity requires many words to explain, which the website does a great job of. With dozens of stages, hundreds of vendors & artists, and endless activities, visitors will never run out of things to do here.

This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).

Seeking a challenging run through the wilderness? Check out Into The Wild, a 10k or 21k course running through trails of rocks, dirt, and more uneven ground. Registration for the 10k costs $55 presale or $60 on the day of the race. Registration for the 21k costs $75 presale or $80 on the day of the race.

Check out dozens of vendors selling collectibles, jewelry, art, furniture, glassware, and more at this street fair this Saturday. Free to attend for all ages, guests will find many rare merchandise from local businesses and home vendors. Guests can dine at any of the local establishments, which will remain open under their normal business hours. Guests can park for free on the street in adjacent neighborhoods.

Enjoy hundreds of art displays, cars, and live music this weekend at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. Admission costs $14, with discounts available for seniors, military, students, and children.

Corgi lovers and Corgi owners unite this Saturday afternoon for a dog day at the beach, free to attend and for all ages. Share your love of this wonderful breed by showing off your adorable companion or by showing love for someone else’s adorable companion.

If you have gone to Artisanal LA, this will feel very familiar. Check out this event in Los Angeles this weekend filled with dozens of vendors selling and/or sampling various food & beverage products. The event will also have speakers, demos, activities, and miscellaneous vendors. Admission starts at $10. Attendees can find free street parking in the nearby neighborhoods.

Looking to get your beer on this weekend? Head to the San Diego CityBeat Festival of Beers, where guests receive UNLIMITED pours from over 50 breweries plus the souvenir taster cup. Guests may purchase food at an additional cost. General admission costs $45 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $55 and starts at 12pm. No one under 21 may enter.

Free to attend for all ages, this event revolves around anime, video games, and cosplay. Visitors can expect to find artists, merchandise, live entertainment, cosplay contests, video game booths, a maid café, and more.

Everyone’s favorite drunk fest returns to Los Angeles this Saturday. This festival allows attendees to drink unlimited beers while enjoying live music from local bands. Food trucks will sell their delicious foods to hungry guests. Tickets cost $40, but does not include parking. No one under 21 may attend.

From the ensorcelling minds behind OC Brew Ha Ha comes a Spring version of Orange County’s biggest beer festival – a beer & taco festival rebooted. A lot has changed since last year. Admission still provides includes unlimited beer tasters, a souvenir glass, live entertainment, games, a cigar lounge, and more. All tacos will still cost $3 each, so prepare to carry cash, preferably singles. This big festival outgrew its previous home and has moved to Doheny State Beach in Dana Point for this year. In addition, this event now features a music component similar to their previous Cali Uncorked and Ye Scallywag festivals. Live bands will perform throughout the day, and all drinks after 4pm come at cost. No one under 21 may attend.

Redondo Beach’s King Harbor Brewing turns four years old this week, and to celebrate, they will hold a beer tasting event this Saturday at their tasting room. General admission costs $45 and comes with a souvenir glass and unlimited beer pours while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Ever participate in a flash mob? No, not the kind of flash mob where everyone breaks out in dance. I speak of the infamous pillow fight flash mob. On April 1st, communities around the world will gather to unleash a fray feather-fueled frenzy on unsuspecting combatants. Due to the unorganized nature of a flash mob, no one can control what occurs, so anyone can join in, yet anything goes. Note that most locations take place in dense areas, so prepare to pay for parking. Check the website for confirmed locations throughout the world.

Bootlegger’s Brewery celebrates their tenth year in business this month, and they will hold a beer festival as they have in the past. Admission costs $50 and gets you unlimited beer pours for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

A day of horse racing and Japanese culture comes to Santa Anita Park this Sunday afternoon. Visitors will find races, food, arts & crafts, games, entertainment, vendors, and more at this event. Adult admission costs $5, but the website has a printable coupon good for free admission. Children may enter for free with adults.

A beer and food tasting event comes to Glendale this Sunday afternoon. General admission costs $35 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $45 and starts at 12pm. All attendees receive unlimited food and beer samples while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

A beer tasting event comes to Chino this Sunday afternoon. General admission costs $35 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $45 and starts at 12pm. All attendees receive 15 4oz beer tasters. Bring cash for food if you intend to eat there. No one under 21 may attend.

A 24-hour scavenger hunt takes place in Orange County starting this Friday night. All participants receive a backpack plus gear for the hunt. Winning teams may win trips, gear, cash prizes, and other rewards. Registration starts at $47.

Get sudsy in San Luis Obispo this weekend and enjoy dozens of beers from dozens of breweries. Admission costs $30 for Friday night or $50 for Saturday afternoon. All attendees receive a souvenir cup and unlimited food and beer samples while supplies last. Both days will contain the same things, but Friday costs less due to lower demand. No one under 21 may attend.

Start off the new (Chinese) year right with this 5/10K Run/Bike race this weekend in Chinatown. The bike race takes place on Saturday, while the run takes place on Sunday. Registration prices range from $45 to $55. Various festivities will also take place in the Chinatown Central Plaza for most of the day.

“Corporate America utilizes this venue to reach out to the Asian communities.” Meh. If you feel like checking out more Lunar New Year festivals, this free one will occur this Saturday afternoon on the street in Alhambra, blocking off traffic.

Free and open to all ages, this family-friendly event will include lion dance performances, acrobatics, martial arts demos, live music, drumming, dancing, and more. Over 50 booths will sell merchandise and food, while some will feature crafts for families.

Interested in traveling and getting out to explore? Find all the information and resources you need and more this weekend at the Travel & Adventure Show. Presale admission costs $11 for one day, or $18 for both days.

This winter beer festival returns to Balboa Park this weekend. General admission to this winter beer festival starts at 7pm and costs $40 presale or $50 at the door. Pay $10 more to enter the festival an hour earlier at 6pm. No one under 21 may enter.

The city of Long Beach has so many fine restaurants that they will have an entire week to celebrate the bounty. During this 7-day period, participating restaurants will have various food & drink specials. Check the website linked above for a list of participating restaurants and their specials.

Test your might at one of the more well-known national obstacle courses this Saturday in Castaic. Run, climb, crawl, and traverse all sorts of obstacles as you make your way to the finish line for sweet bragging rights. Registration varies, with the basic registration costing $149 per individual – see the website for a breakdown of all prices. Use promo code 16SGX0243 to save 20% off registration.

Renegade LA returns to LA State Historic Park in Los Angeles this weekend. Free to attend for all ages, event featured numerous independent artists and vendors not just from California, but out of state, and some out of the country. For the holiday show, expect hands-on workshops and a beer garden, in addition to the food trucks and hundreds of crafters available.

Artisanal LA brings you this one-of-a-kind street fair this Saturday. At this free and all-ages event, visitors to this European market inspired local shopping experience will find food, drinks, treats, art, apparel, accessories, live entertainment, arts & crafts, and more. Visitors can find free street parking around the area.

From the creators of OC Brew Ha Ha comes the OC Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival! Head to Anaheim this Saturday for an afternoon of UNLIMITED beer tastings, food, music, holiday shopping, and more. As one of the year’s final beer fests, expect to ring in 2017 with some rare and unreleased beers. In addition to the beer and food, OC Brew Ho Ho will also feature a merchandise expo, allowing attendees to do some holiday shopping while drinking beer. Tickets cost $55 and comes with a souvenir glass, and all access to all areas of the fest. As with any beer fest, all attendees must show ID, and nobody under 21 may enter.

Beer Advocate and Dogfish Head bring a beer fest to Los Angeles this Saturday. $60 gets you in to one of two 3.5 hour sessions: 12:00-3:30 or 6:00-9:30. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters for the duration of the session while supplies last. Bring cash for food and parking. No one under 21 may attend.

This annual holiday boat parade returns to the canals in & around Naples Island this Saturday evening. Completely free to attend, immediate streets along the parade route begin closing to traffic at 5pm. Spectators get to see dozens of boats decorated with Christmas lights and props as they sail through the parade route. Large boats start at 6pm and sail entirely south of 2nd Street, while small boats start at 6:45pm and begin at Marine Stadium before following a route similar to the large boats.

Anaheim Packing District will hold its own night market this Saturday night. Unlike most other night markets taking place around Southern California, this has nothing to do with the Asian-influenced night markets. Instead, this event will simply have local crafts, artisans, musicians, curators, live music, and more.

Don your best Santa Claus outfits, and go bar-hopping with your friends and new friends this Saturday night in Newport Beach. Participation costs $20 presale or $25 on the night of the event. It goes without saying that no one under 21 may participate.

A pet adoption fair will take place in Irvine this Sunday, which will have hundreds of pets available for adoption, plus mobile food vendors, other pet accessory vendors, demos, a silent auction, and more. Although free to attend for all ages, they suggest a $2 donation per person to attend.

See all things cars at this car show presented by AutoCon this Sunday in the City of Industry. Attendees will find hundreds of classic & customs cars, a huge vendor village, demos, food trucks, import models, and more. Although free to attend for all ages, they suggest donating an unwrapped toy worth $10 or more upon entering.

This Sunday night, many streets near the Manhattan Beach Pier will close, as thousands of spectators gather to watch fireworks (which start at 7pm), dance, drink, mingle, and more. Completely free to attend, expect chaos with this many people. Arrive early to snag a good parking spot.

Submerge yourself in strong beers this weekend at Pizza Port in Carlsbad. General admission costs $45, starts at 5pm, and includes a souvenir glass and eight beer tasters. VIP sessions cost $70, start at 2pm, and also include complimentary food and access to purchase rare bottles.

This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).

Local artists and vendors will display and sell their wares at this FREE art fest. Guests can look at some interesting works of art, while browsing through all the merchandise available to purchase. The organizers will provide free refreshments, while live bands and singers will keep guests entertained.

Dag Nasty will headline a handful of shows in Southern California starting this week. Ticket prices and age limits for these shows vary by the location, so check with the venues for details.

4th Annual Run For A Claus
6:30 am – 11:00 am, December 2
University of California Irvine (turnaround at center of campus), Irvinehttp://www.runforaclaus.com/

Participate in a 5K run this Saturday morning in Irvine. Kids may opt to participate in a 1-mile fun run instead. Registration for either run costs $40 for adults, with the price going down for younger participants.

An interactive educational event for all ages comes to Del Mar this Saturday. Admission costs $8 for adults or $6 for children, and provides access to all the vendors, exhibitors, demos, games, activities, and more.

This weekend at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA, retail popups will offer special holiday products, while market vendors will have holiday deals on their goods. Visitors will also find cookbook signings, live music, and arts & crafts for the little ones.

Completely FREE to attend for all ages, this Christmas tree-lighting celebration lasts all day. During the day, guests can partake in breakfast with Santa, kids’ crafts & activities, a food fair, live entertainment, train rides, snow play, and more. The actual tree lighting begins at 6pm. If you need something to do with family, bring them to Downtown Anaheim this Saturday night.

A free and all-ages festive parade takes place in North Park this Saturday morning. Following the parade, lots of holiday activities will take place in North Park on both 30th Street and University Avenue.

Sample teas from around the world, and sample Japanese cuisine at this tea festival. General admission to this all-ages festival costs $15. Bring cash for parking and for any items you wish to buy at the event.

Their website describes this event best: “The largest independent design show in the country, attendees get the rare chance to meet and shop directly from over 350 hand-selected designers and artists. The exciting two-day shopping event makes it easy for you to buy local and support LA’s economy, discover great design and deals, join in community, and have a blast.” The $15 admission allows for unlimited reentry for both days, and anyone buying presale online will receive a free tote bag. Guests over 21 can receive free cocktails, while all guests may receive other free drinks, like teas and waters. The show will also feature some of LA’s most popular restaurants and food trucks serving their delicious food. Parking directly at the venue costs $6, while nearby parking lots will range from $3-5.

A beer fest will take place in San Diego this Saturday afternoon that will have a handful of Pacific Island food booths present. General admission costs $50 and gets you unlimited beer samples for the duration of the event while supplies last, with food sold separately. No one under 21 may attend.

Family-friendly festivities will take place in Chula Vista this Saturday. Starting at noon, visitors will find snow at Memorial Park, plus other activities. A Christmas parade will start at 6pm on 3rd Avenue.

Bring out the family to this free and all-ages event on the streets of Uptown Whittier. Visitors will experience Christmas Village, Santa Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, carolers, live entertainment, local shopping sales, food & drink specials, and lots more.

On Saturday, catch the Miss California USA & Miss California Teen USA Preliminary Competition. On Sunday, see the Final Show Dress Rehearsal and the Final Coronation Show. Ticket prices range from $60 to $80 for the competitions, while tickets to the dress rehearsal cost about $30.

Police will close 2nd Street beginning at 5pm from Livingston through Bay Shore. As one of Belmont Shore’s most popular annual events, parking fills up intensely within a mile radius. I recommend parking way away and either bike or walk to Belmont Shore.

Enjoy a free and all-ages holiday boat parade with thousands of sparkling lights this Saturday night in San Pedro. Visitors have plenty of spots along the river to view the parade from – check the website for the parade route and viewing spots.

See thousands of original and restored classic cars at the Fairplex this Sunday morning. Many of the vendors will also sell automotive accessories, parts, and more as well. This all-ages show cost $10 to enter, while children 10 and under get in free with a paid adult admission. Parking costs $10 per vehicle – guests must enter via gate 17 on Fairplex Drive, directly off the 10 freeway.

This event focuses on dog & cat adoptions, providing people an opportunity to add a pet to their lives. Free to attend for all ages, this event comes with food vendors, live music from local bands, speakers, pet merchandise & accessories, pet services, and more.

Get crafty at this arts & crafts fair this Sunday afternoon in Alhambra. Free to attend for all ages, visitors will find dozens of independent designers selling their goods, a handful of mobile food vendors, a beer garden, live music, entertainment, and more.

Check out this free and all-ages event this Sunday afternoon in North Park that will have chili, a beer garden, a kids’ zone, vendors, live music, and more. Although free to attend, visitors can pay $20 to receive a handcrafted ceramic bowl and five restaurant chili tastings.

A full weekend of running festivities will take place in Los Angeles this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, a health & fitness expo will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. On Saturday morning, a 5K run will take place. Finally, on Sunday morning, the main marathon and half marathon will take place. Participation in each event varies in price depending on the event and age of participant, so check the website for pricing information.

One of the west coast’s largest multimedia pop culture expos returns to Downtown LA this weekend. Whether you like comics, video games, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or anything else in the pop culture realm, anyone will surely find something to enjoy at the expo this weekend. Passes cost $30 to $45 for single days, or $80 for the entire weekend.

Test your might at one of the more well-known national obstacle courses this Saturday in Big Bear. Run, climb, crawl, and traverse all sorts of obstacles as you make your way to the finish line for sweet bragging rights. Registration varies, with the basic registration costing $149 per individual – see the website for a breakdown of all prices. Use promo code 16SGX0243 to save 20% off registration.

At this free and all-ages event, thousands of visitors will get to check out arts & crafts from dozens of local artists, makers, and craftsmen. Visitors will also find merchandise, vendors, food, drinks, live music, arts & crafts, and more.

Corgi lovers and Corgi owners unite this Saturday afternoon for a dog day at the beach, free to attend and for all ages. Share your love of this wonderful breed by showing off your adorable companion or by showing love for someone else’s adorable companion.

Sample as much gourmet mac & cheese as you can handle this Saturday afternoon in San Diego, while supplies last. Admission costs $35 and comes with ten 2oz beer tasters from participating local breweries. No one under 21 may attend.

A vintage clothing and vinyl records market will take place in Downtown Santa Ana this Saturday afternoon. Free to attend for all ages, visitors will encounter dozens of vendors selling lots of local goods and gifts.

A convention for all things Macross and mecha comes to Torrance this Saturday. Admission starts at $15 and gets you access to the event plus a tote bag and magnet. Higher tiers of admission will grant additional souvenirs and special access to certain areas.

Drink beers and feel merry at Pizza Port in San Clemente this Saturday. Admission costs $35 and comes with eight 4oz beer tasters, and attendees can purchase additional beer tasters for $1 each. Attendees can purchase food from the restaurant throughout the day.

Alcohol and punk rock collide in this epic festival taking place this Saturday in Huntington Beach. Co-organized by the founder of OC Brew Ha Ha, this festival will bring together some of the region’s top breweries and wineries, as well as some top names in punk rock. Admission starts at $69 and gets you in to the festival at certain times depending on which admission you purchased. All attendees receive unlimited beer or wine tastings while supplies last until 4pm. After 4pm, attendees will have to pay for drinks. The music will last all day. Attendees should bring cash for food and drinks after 4pm. No one under 21 may attend.

Rancho Bernardo’s beer festival returns for its sixth year this week. Each day this week leading up to the festival, a nearby restaurant will offer special beer pairing dinners. On Saturday, the tasting event will take place where attendees can sip on beers and wines, enjoy food, live music, and more. Admission costs $40 for one person or $70 for two tickets, and comes with 15 tasting tickets and a souvenir glass. No one under 21 may attend.

This zombie festival takes place throughout Shoreline Village in Long Beach this weekend. This fest breaks all norms of standard fests and opts to follow “zombie rules” in operations. Free to attend, this event will have many activities such as a movie viewing, beer gardens, costume contests, Thriller flash mob, live music, food trucks, artists, games, the zombie walk, Halloween mazes, and more. Arrive early, as parking will fill quickly – have patience when searching the neighborhoods east of Alamitos Ave.

A zombie-themed pub crawl will take place in Santa Monica this Saturday night. Participation costs $12 presale or $15 on the day of the event, but does not include any drinks – attendees must pay for their own drinks.

This beer & music festival will take this Saturday at NTC Liberty Station. Attendees will find over a hundred different types of beer, live music, food trucks, and other forms of entertainment. General admission costs $35 presale or $40 at the door, and starts at 7pm. VIP admission costs $50 or $60 at the door, and starts at 6pm. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters, regardless of admission type. No one under 21 may attend.

Long Beach has its own version of a ciclovia where the city officials closes a portion of the city to vehicular traffic to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to freely roam the streets. This Saturday, that will occur in Bixby Knolls and surrounding streets. Plan your commute accordingly.

Expect to see over 500 costumed dogs at this annual parade through Belmont Shore, as featured on the Kevin & Bean Show! Kids and adults may also enter a costume contest to win cash prizes. Presale entries cost $10 per dog, with prices rising on the day of the event.

The San Gabriel Valley puts their spin on Oktoberfest with this dumpling & beer fest this Thursday night in San Gabriel. Free to attend for all ages, this festival will feature numerous dumpling vendors, other food vendors, live entertainment, a craft beer garden, and more. A wristband for unlimited beer sampling costs $20 for 16 beer pours or $30 for unlimited beers while supplies last. All food comes at cost, so bring plenty of cash for that.

Hardcore band Death By Stereo will headline a handful of shows in Southern California this week. Ticket prices to these shows vary by location, so check with the venue for details. No one under 21 may enter any of these shows.

Enjoy Oktoberfest on the beach this weekend with this two-day Oktoberfest celebration. For just $3 admission, gain access to this event filled with beer, pretzels, sausages, and other typical Oktoberfest festivities.

Bring the family out to this all-ages city fair this weekend. Free to attend, this fair has everything that a family can enjoy, from the rides and games for kids, to the entertainment and vendors for adults. Remember to check out all the fair food, drinks, and dessert too, since buying food here supports local organizations and businesses. Guests can find free street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Homebrews and microbreweries collide at this beer tasting event this Friday night in Pacific Beach. The $25 admission grants you access to taste the homebrews, as well as sample beers from all the participating breweries while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).

Los Angeles gets their own Greek Fest this weekend that will basically have the same things as any other Greek Fest: food, drinks, desserts, music, dancers, games, rides, and more. Admission to this all-ages festival costs $5 per person per day.

The color run that started it all returns to Huntington Beach this Saturday morning. This fun run takes the racing out of a 5k or 10k, and places participants in a running course where they will get showered with bright colors. All runners should wear white for this run, as they run through the course and absorb all the colors flying through the air. Registration for this color run costs $50 per solo participant, or $45 per person if registering as a team of four or more. Waves of runners will start at 9am and launch every few minutes following that for up to two hours, so do not fret about getting there on time.

Bring out the family to this all-day celebration at the park. In the morning, a 5K race will take place around the park. At 9:30am, a local parade will run through Downtown Escondido. From then until the end of the celebration, a fair will take place at Grape Day Park, free to the public to attend. In addition, a wine & craft beer tasting pavilion will take place from 11am to 3pm. Sample wine from local wineries and beer from local breweries while enjoying live entertainment and other activities. Admission costs $20 presale and $25 at the door, and include a souvenir glass. No one under 21 may attend.

Go on a nice 5k run down on the beach this Saturday morning starting at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. All participants who register prior to race day will receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, and a ticket to the aquarium with registration. Registration costs $45. Bring cash for parking in the aquarium parking structure.

Enjoy a full day of outdoor activities at this free and all-ages beach festival in Pacific Beach. Visitors will find sports, tournaments, activities, live entertainment, arts & crafts, games, food, drinks, and more.

Celebrate local makers, artists, designers, and more at this two-day fair taking place in Balboa Park this weekend in San Diego. Attendees will experience handmade goods such as gadgets, sculptures, art, food, apparel, accessories, merchandise, and more. Admission costs $20 for adults or $12 for children.

This free fair for all ages makes its annual return this weekend, featuring games, arts & crafts, food, beer & wine gardens, live entertainment, and more. The city will provide free parking and shuttle transportation at the Northrop Grumman Building at 15092 Aviation Blvd near the intersection of Aviation Blvd and Marine Street in Manhattan Beach.

Dozens of locals breweries will bring out their strongest beers for you to try this Saturday afternoon in San Diego. General admission costs $55 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $65 and starts at 12pm. No one under 21 may attend.

Redondo Beach’s King Harbor Brewing will have Oktoberfest festivities this Saturday. Registration for one of the games starts at $30, and gets you a stein and four fills. If you do not want to participate in the games, you can enter the tasting room for free and pay for beers as you go.

Murrieta’s 8 bit Brewing Company will host their own Oktoberfest festivities this Saturday. $10 gets you a pint glass and a goodie bag. $20 gets you a stein, one full pour of an Oktoberfest beer, and the aforementioned goodie bag. Minors enter for free with paid adult admission.

A beer festival comes to Santa Barbara this Saturday afternoon. General admission costs $75 and starts at 2pm. VIP admission costs $100 and starts at 1pm. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Enjoy paella and lots of wine and spirits this Saturday in Downtown Los Angeles. General admission costs $50 presale or $85 at the gate, and includes unlimited food and drink samples. VIP admission costs $120, and also includes access to a VIP area with some exclusive food and drinks.

Take over the streets of Eagle Rock with this FREE and all-ages music festival this Saturday evening. With six stages all providing different genres of music, surely something exists for everyone here. In addition to all the music, check out the food trucks, local food, arts & crafts, vendors, and more.

Chinese Thanksgiving celebrations continue this Saturday in Chinatown with their annual Moon (Cake) Festival. Free to attend for all ages, participants celebrate by eating mooncakes, mini pastries that may contain up to 2,000 calories each. In addition, guests can see kung fu demos, lion dancers, live music, food trucks, ping pong tournaments, and more. Guests can find free street parking beyond Spring St. or close to LA State Historic Park.

For eight full days, various restaurants all over San Diego County will participate in this special week, where they will offer special prix-fixe meals that highlight their unique cuisine. Use this chance to explore and discover new restaurants in the area!

The annual Taste of Arcadia returns TONIGHT, so for those planning to go, buy the $50 presale tickets now, as you cannot purchase tickets at the door. More than 40 food vendors will serve samples, while over 30 other vendors will keep guests occupied between eats.

This “Taste of Cerritos” makes its annual return this Wednesday to the same location, the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Unlike other food fests in LA & OC, this event does not cost as much – attendees pay $10, then receive unlimited tastes once they enter. Over 30 restaurants will serve food samples, meaning attendees will certainly get a bang for their buck. Also, guests do not have to pay for parking here.

For $12 entry, guests can check out the newest and latest cars, trucks, exotics, and more. Seniors and active military personnel can enter for $10. Guests looking for free street parking should locate Casa Vista St, west of the convention center, by Denny’s.

Enjoy a family-fun Oktoberfest celebration this weekend in La Mesa. Free to attend for all ages, this Oktoberfest celebration will have all the usual Oktoberfest festivities such as dance, music, sausages, pretzels, beer, and more. In addition, visitors will find hundreds of vendors, arts & crafts, games, and more activities for all ages.

Revel in Irish culture all this weekend in Murrieta, with Irish music, food, live entertainment, and more. This all-ages festival will bring Irish culture to town, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all. General admission costs $20 for Friday, $30 for Saturday, or $40 for a weekend pass. As an outdoors event, guests should stay hydrated, apply sunscreen, and take any other precaution for lasting long in hot weather. No one under 21 may attend.

Come enjoy a night of food, drinks, music, dancing, and more. This festival for the senses will feature over 30 local restaurants, live music & DJ’s, local dance performers, signature cocktails, wild animal exhibits, and more. General admission costs $55 and starts at 7pm. VIP admission costs $70, starts at 6pm, and includes a goodie bag plus access to a VIP area. No one under 21 may attend.

Lots of activity will take place in the culinary world this weekend in Newport Beach. On Friday night, a VIP party will take place with a cocktail reception and a three-course food & wine pairing dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, attendees of the festival gain access to unlimited food tastings, cooking demos, cocktail mixing demos, live music, a silent auction, and more. Admission prices significantly vary based on the mode of attendance, with single-day admission costing $175 and a weekend pass costing $295.

Check out all things off-roading this weekend at the Fairplex in Pomona, complete with hundreds of vendors, dozens of industry professionals, and acres of off-road. Adult admission costs $20, or $15 if you purchase it at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Children enter for $6. Bring cash for parking, which usually costs $10 per vehicle.

This FREE and all-ages music festival takes place over two days this weekend on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, between the 805 and 15 freeways. Ten blocks will close to traffic to make way for over 90 music acts on seven stages and over 350 vendor booths. Guests should take public transportation to Adams Avenue, as traffic will remain heavily congested all weekend, and parking will not exist in high numbers here.

A free and all-ages jet show comes to Huntington Beach this weekend. Practice/rehearsals will take place on Friday, while the actual shows take place on Saturday and Sunday. Bring out your friends and family to enjoy some aerial entertainment. Attendees may purchase reserved seats via the website.

An all-ages concert will come to Downtown Long Beach this weekend. Admission costs $75 for one day or $135 for both days. As with any long concert, make sure you can endure remaining outdoors for a long period of time, and have plenty of cash for food and drinks.

Savor the local flavor of Uptown Whittier at this food tasting event this Saturday afternoon in Uptown Whittier. At this event, attendees will get treated to eats from dozens of local restaurants. General admission costs $45 and starts at 2pm, while VIP admission costs $60 and starts at 1pm. All attendees receive unlimited food samples while supplies last. Guests must purchase drinks separately. No one under 21 may attend.

Everyone’s favorite drunk fest returns to Los Angeles this Saturday. This festival allows attendees to drink unlimited beers while enjoying live music from local bands. Food trucks will sell their delicious foods to hungry guests. General admission costs $45 and starts at 3pm, while VIP admission costs $55 and starts at 2pm. All admission comes with unlimited beer pours, but does not include parking. No one under 21 may attend.

Dudes Brewing in Torrance turns three years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have anniversary glasses available, raffle prizes throughout the day, and special beers on tap for you to try. This event has no admission fee – simply show up, and enjoy a cold one or two.

Sample various bites and sips from Santa Ana restaurants at this all-ages event this Saturday evening at the mall. Admission costs $25 presale or $30 at the gate, and gets you unlimited food and drink samples while supplies last.

At this food & wine tasting, find food samples from local restaurants, dozens of wine & craft beer tastings, live music, raffle prizes, and more. Tickets to this event cost $70 presale or $75 at the door, and include unlimited food and drinks while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Santa Monica gets its own ciclovia event this Sunday that will block off a portion of Santa Monica to vehicles, as if the city does not already have enough traffic problems. If you intend to drive anywhere in or near Santa Monica this Sunday, plan your commute accordingly.

At this FREE and all-ages event this Sunday, the six-block marketplace on Mountain Vista Drive in Encinitas will feature Bavarian dancers, bands, hundreds of vendors, authentic German food & beverages, a family fun zone, and a ceremonial parade at 12pm.

Chocolate lovers will want to attend the International Chocolate Salon this Saturday afternoon in Pasadena for an all-you-can-eat chocolate bonanza. Admission costs $20 presale or $25 at the door, while children can get in for $10.

Explore the future of sustainable seafood this Sunday in San Pedro. General admission costs $10 and gets you two tasting tickets. All-inclusive admission costs $60 and gets you a taste from each booth plus one drink ticket.

Sample foods from local Garden Grove restaurants and listen to live music this Sunday. Admission costs $20 presale or $25 at the gate. VIP admission with select locations for the main stage costs $30. The event page does not give a lot of specifics, so basically treat this as a concert more than anything.

Over a hundreds of the world’s top women surfers will compete this weekend in Oceanside. Visitors will also find various demos, vendors, booths, and entertainment all weekend at this free and all-ages event.

Indulge in crawfish, beignets, drinks, and other New Orleans eats this weekend in Long Beach. In addition to all the food, attendees will find a TV lounge, dance contests, live music, souvenir photos, and more. Entry to this all-ages festival cost $13 presale and $17 at the gate for adults, while kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult admission. Adding a two-pound crawfish feast will cost $28 presale and $38 at the gate. Adding a three-pound crawfish feast will cost $35 presale and $48 at the gate. The parking lots across the street charge for use – park for free in the neighborhood east of Alamitos Avenue.

Sample the best of food & drinks in Yorba Linda this Friday evening. For $55 presale or $75 at the door, guests get treated to a night of unlimited food tastings plus two drink tickets good for beer or wine. Guests may reserve a table for ten for $100.

Join in on this night of Asian-style food tastings and cocktail sips this Friday night in Downtown LA. General admission costs $88 and starts at 8pm, while early admission costs $150 and starts at 7pm. All attendees receive unlimited food and cocktail tastings while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

Post-hardcore band Every Time I Die currently tours across the nation, and that tour will swing through Southern California this week. Ticket prices to these all-ages shows vary in price, so check with the venue for prices.

The Dirty Little Secrets Burlesque troupe will perform an anniversary show this Friday night in Long Beach. General admission costs $10. If you want seating, those admission prices will cost more. No one under 21 may attend.

This week-long competition takes place on the shore south of Huntington Beach Pier. Come see professional and amateur surfers compete to take a spot for the ASP World Tour. Visitors will also find skateboarding demos and live music all week. Completely free to attend, this weekend will see thousands of spectators on the beach for the US Open. Expect heavy traffic all week. Try to find parking in the neighborhoods, but prepare to walk a long distance if choosing to park in neighborhoods, since the neighborhoods closer to the beach will remain full all week.

Catch a weekend of surfing and dogs this weekend in Imperial Beach. Various events will take place throughout the day, with a few taking place on Sunday as well. Events vary in price, so check the website for a price for each individual event.

SoCal Hello Kitty fans will not want to miss this rare opportunity to experience the Hello Kitty Cafe. This weekend, visitors will enjoy macarons, minicakes, and other Hello Kitty treats not found anywhere else.

Hess Brewing will celebrate their seventh anniversary with an afternoon beer tasting event this Saturday at their tasting room in North Park, San Diego. Hess Brewing will pour many of their beers plus some rare and exclusive beers just for this event, and other local breweries will make an appearance to serve their refreshing brews as well. General admission costs $45, starts at 12:30pm, and includes unlimited beer tasters and food samples. VIP admission costs $60, starts at 11am, and also provides access to VIP-only beers. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.

This all-ages event that costs $5 to get in will feature a plethora of family-fun things to do at the beach. Expect to find sports, games, arts & crafts, food, drinks, beer & wine garden, and more. On Saturday night, catch a fire show down on the beach as well.

LMU will bring back their beer festival this Saturday afternoon to their campus in Westchester. General admission costs $50 and starts at 1pm. VIP admission costs $70, starts at 12pm, and includes an event t-shirt and pretzel necklace. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters from over a dozen participating breweries while supplies last. Attendees should bring cash for parking and food, and dress appropriately for hot weather. No one under 21 may attend.

Redondo Beach’s King Harbor Brewing will host a cornhole tournament this Saturday afternoon, and they will also serve up a pig roast. Entry into the tournament costs $25 per person. All other visitors can attend for free – they will pay for food and drinks as they go.

A big dance party will take place above Downtown LA this Saturday night. Admission costs $30 presale or $35 at the door, and grants you access to the dance floor, complimentary beverages, glow sticks, and one ride on the slide above Downtown LA. No one under 21 may attend.

Discover all the local shops and restaurants in North Pacific beach at this free street fair this Sunday afternoon. Cass St will close to traffic to allow visitors to roam the street and check out all of the booths, vendors, food, drinks, merchandise, games, rides, and more.

A food & alcohol tasting event will take place this Sunday evening in Santa Monica. The $95 admission gets you in to enjoy unlimited food and drink samples for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.